What happened on July 14th?

Hey there!

Isn’t it fascinating how some days just seem to stand out in history? July 14th is definitely one of those days. Imagine being there when the Bastille was stormed, a symbol of power crumbling, ushering in the French Revolution.

Here are other interesting events that happened on this day in history:

✊ 1789: Paris Mobs Stormed the Bastille

On July 14, 1789, an important event in the French Revolution unfolded as Parisian mobs stormed the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison symbolizing the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy. This day, now celebrated as Bastille Day, is a significant turning point in French history.

The storming of the Bastille was precipitated by widespread discontent among the French populace, driven by economic hardship, political mismanagement, and social inequality. The Estates-General had convened earlier that year, but the Third Estate, representing commoners, found their grievances ignored, leading to the formation of the National Assembly and a commitment to draft a new constitution. Tensions escalated as King Louis XVI moved troops into Paris, perceived as a threat to the revolution.

On the morning of July 14, thousands of Parisians gathered around the Bastille, demanding the release of political prisoners and the seizure of arms stored within. The prison, defended by a small garrison, was overwhelmed after hours of fierce fighting.

In the immediate aftermath the governor of the Bastille, Bernard-René de Launay, was captured and killed by the mob. The event galvanized revolutionary fervor across France, leading to the widespread establishment of revolutionary communes and the eventual downfall of the monarchy. The storming of the Bastille remains a powerful emblem of liberty, justice, and the fight against tyranny, commemorated annually in France and recognized worldwide as a celebration of freedom and democracy.

Read more in Storming of the Bastille: Causes and Outcomes.

⚔️ 1099: Jerusalem Was Captured in the First Crusade

On this day, Crusader forces captured Jerusalem after a long siege during the First Crusade.  The capture of Jerusalem was marked by significant bloodshed and the subsequent massacre of its Muslim and Jewish inhabitants, an event that has been widely condemned in historical accounts. This conquest also set the stage for establishing the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem, which lasted nearly a century before Muslim forces regained control.

📜 1798: Sedition Act Became Federal Law

The Sedition Act, part of the Alien and Sedition Acts, was enacted by the United States Congress. This legislation made it illegal to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or government officials. The act was primarily pushed by the Federalist Party, who argued it was necessary for national security during the quasi-war with France, but it was heavily criticized by the Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, who saw it as a violation of the First Amendment rights to free speech and press.

⛰️ 1865: Edward Whymper Became the First Person to Climb the Matterhorn

British mountaineer Edward Whymper successfully reached the summit of the Matterhorn in the Alps. However, the triumph was overshadowed by tragedy when four members of his party fell to their deaths during the descent. This incident profoundly affected Whymper and raised awareness about the dangers of mountaineering, leading to improved safety measures in the sport. Read more about mountaineering and its dangers in Reaching for the Heavens: The History of Mountaineering.

🪥 1968: Hank Aaron Hit His 500th Career Home Run

Hank Aaron, one of baseball's greatest hitters, hit his 500th career home run while playing for the Atlanta Braves. This milestone solidified his reputation as one of the top power hitters in the history of Major League Baseball.

🌟 Born on This Day in History

1903: Irving Stone, Author

Irving Stone was a prolific author known for his biographical novels such as Lust for Life, about the life of Vincent van Gogh, and The Agony and the Ecstasy, about Michelangelo.

1912: Woody Guthrie, Singer and Songwriter

Woody Guthrie was an influential American folk musician whose songs, including This Land Is Your Land, reflected the struggles and hopes of the American people during the Great Depression and beyond.

1913: Gerald Ford, President of the United States

Gerald Ford served as the 38th President of the United States, assuming office after the resignation of Richard Nixon. His presidency was marked by efforts to heal the nation after the Watergate scandal.

💔 Died on This Day in History

1881: Billy the Kid, US Outlaw

Billy the Kid, an infamous outlaw of the American Old West, was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. His death still remains an intriguing topic, thanks to how dramatically the entire encounter went down. Read more in How Did Billy the Kid Die? Gunned Down by Sherrif?. 

1882: Johnny Ringo, US Outlaw

Johnny Ringo, a notorious outlaw associated with the Clanton Gang in Arizona, was found dead in Turkey Creek Canyon, Arizona. His death remains a subject of speculation and intrigue. Johnny Ringo, alongside other outlaws, roamed the American West and caused plenty of chaos across that part of history. Read more about the infamous outlaws of the Wild West. 

1904: Anton Chekhov, Russian Author

Anton Chekhov was a Russian playwright and short-story writer famous for works such as The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, and Uncle Vanya. His contributions to literature have had a lasting impact on the world of drama and fiction.

That's all for today's dose of interesting historical facts. Join me tomorrow for more significant events that shaped the course of our history.

Matt